“All the Ten Commandments are expressed in the singular, to show each member of Israel that it is he to whom these words are directed.” HaGaon Rabbi David Deitch

The following project suggests two activities for adults and one for children (working with the latter on the same concepts as with the adults, but in an appropriate way) and a general celebration, to continue the tradition of receiving the Torah by studying it and interpreting it.

By The JCCenters.org Team

By the JCCenters.org Team
The first activity Of Shavuot (weeks) and Shvuot (promises), deals with the value of studying the Torah and the immeasurable importance this is given within our tradition. The second activity, Tikun Leil Shavuot: Preparing Ourselves Spiritually for the Torah, works on the historical/literary level of the festival by reading and analyzing a selection of biblical texts, focusing on the process of crossing over from Pesach to Shavuot as an important aspect.
The third activity, Festival of the First Fruits: the Happiness of the Fruits of Labor, celebrates the chag with the traditional display of fruits, characteristic of Israel and emulated in the Diaspora. The metaphor of the Bikurim, the first fruits, opens the door to celebrating the first fruits, not only in nature but also in our family, community and national life.

A fictitious tale based on the symbols of the Festival of the First Fruits (Shavuot)

Like a bride with her groom on their wedding day, There were lights and shofars and celebrations gay, With His voice upon the wind, the mighty Lord then Gave us his commandments, of which there were ten. Just to inform you on what the Laws contain, They tell us all the things from which we must refrain.
(excerpt)

by Razia Mizrahi

On the holiday of Shavuot, the Scroll of Ruth is read, in which the two main characters are a daughter-in-law and a mother-in-law. Their bond, which runs counter to the well-known stereotypes, invites us to analyze issues related to our family life: how do we construct our own relationships with our “new family,” with the in-laws, the mekhutonim? What kinds of crises arise? What unites us, and what separates us?
The three suggested lessons invite us to discuss these and other questions, while at the same time engaging in a deep and personal reading of the text of Ruth and the commentaries on it.

by Dana Pulver